Imphal: Nimita Devi Nritya Ashram, a Grantee Organisation of the Ministry of Culture, GoI (under the Guru Shishya Parampara Scheme), Celebrated its 19th foundation day at the Shri Shri Bijoygovinda Mandap on 2 August.
The inaugural function of the celebration was attended by L Memo Singh, Eminent Literary Critic as chief guest with Budha Chingtham, Member Board of GEZCC; G Dharmadas Sharma, Jt Director, Art &
Culture, GoM and N Ibungochoubi, social activist, as guests of honour. The function was presided by Kangjam Radhakumar Singh, IAS (Retd) President, NDNA.
Speaking as chief guest of the inaugural function, L Memo Sigh recalled the immense contribution of Guru Amubi Singh in preserving and enhancing the Manipuri Classical dance form. He also lauded the Nimita Devi Nritya Ashram NDNA for its contribution in keeping alive the legacy of Guru Amubi for generations to come.
Budha Chingtham speaking as guest of honour lamented the stalling of various schemes for those working the field of culture due to lack of fund. He stressed the need for the government both central and the states to extend more financial assistance to various organisations which are working in art and culture. He, however, was all praise for Chief Ministergi Artiste Sing Gi Tengbang which has been a great help to the artistes of the state.
Pralada Sharma emphasized the uniqueness of the Hinduism practiced in Manipur which , he said, is now the envy of the rest of the country. He also pointed out how the various forms of performing arts in Manipur, the Sankirtan, the Ras Leela, the Lai haraoba among others shapes the identity of this land of ours.
Radhakumar Singh in his presidential speech stressed on the need to weed out the corruption and distortions of our dance forms and cultural practices and the need to keep alive the purity of our traditions.
Nimita Devi is the founder guru and choreographer of the Nimita Devi Nritya Ashram (NDNA), a dance institution cum performing unit which was established on 2 August, 2007. Nimita Devi learned Manipuri classical dance from late legendary Guru Amubi Singh. She started performing from a very young age, participated in the Children’s Day Celebration at Teen Murty Bhavan in New Delhi. Since then, she has performed in numerous festivals and events both in Manipur and other parts of the country. She has also performed in China and Bangladesh. Nimita Devi was the first from Manipur to receive the Bismillah Khan Award given by the Sangeet Natak Akademy in the year 2007. She was also enlisted in the ICCR panel in the year 1991.
According to Nimita, a passionate desire “to pass on her knowledge to the younger generation was the inspiration behind the founding of NDNA”. She also revealed that her husband Basu Sharma played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Ashram and has been a pillar of strength in the running of the Ashram ever since. “It gives me immense satisfaction to know that I am passing on a precious piece of our culture to these young kids”, says Nimita.
The NDNA does not charge any fees to the student though after an initial admission fee of Rs 200/-. The Ashram has imparted training in various dance forms to over 200 students as of date, many of whom have become performing artistes in their own right and many went on to pursue higher studies in the JN Dance Academy and the Manipur Culture University.
The inaugural function concluded with performances of Chali, Hari Riha, Pung cholom and Maha Ras.
